Boiler & Gas Safety Feature
Ensuring safe and efficient heating
The pressure to decarbonise existing homes continues to grow, as does the desire to end fuel poverty. Anthony Watton of Baxi Heating explores how social housing providers can implement heating solutions that prioritise both efficiency and safety for occupants.
Heating, Ventilation & Services
W
ith domestic heating being a significant contributor to carbon emissions, the UK government is intensifying its focus on decarbonising this sector. As part of this process, fuel poverty
stands out as a particular problem that must be broached.
RISING EFFICIENCY STANDARDS Lack of energy efficiency in homes and economic vulnerability – coupled with the rising cost of energy – are driving factors of fuel poverty status in the UK. In order to address this issue, the government is looking to impose aims that will raise efficiency standards across housing stock. With figures showing that the majority of fuel poor occupants live in EPC band D or E properties, these aims disclose aspirations to move as many homes as possible to a minimum of Band D by 2025, and a minimum of Band C by 2030. As the public sector constitutes almost a quarter of fuel poor households, the
onus is on social housing providers to increase EPC ratings for meeting fuel poverty targets and improving living standards.
FINDING SOLUTIONS In terms of solutions, increasing the thermal retention of a home through insulation upgrades is a familiar approach. However, improving building fabrics can be a lengthy and costly undertaking, especially in hard-to-treat homes. As such, many housing associations look to upgrade heating systems by
replacing appliances. Yet, certain components such as FGHR devices and control systems are oſten neglected, resulting in old and inefficient parts that are at higher risk of breaking down. Upgrading the components of current boiler
systems therefore offers an easier route for enhancing efficiency measures, while also maintaining reliability.
KEY COMPONENTS As heating systems are specified to a “design day” temperature, a correctly designed, specified, and installed heating system should perform optimally around this temperature range. However, in instances where the outdoor temperature exceeds such levels, the appliance may be operating at overcapacity. Upgrading a boiler’s control interface with smart controls can help to
ensure efficient output is maintained in these circumstances – through monitoring both outdoor and indoor temperatures, these controls can be modulated to provide weather or load compensation by lowering the firing rate and flow rate to suit ambient conditions. Correctly specified and commissioned controls can therefore reduce energy consumption and improve the efficiency of a boiler. A flue gas heat recovery (FGHR) device can also greatly enhance the energy-
saving capacity of a heating system. Situated between the boiler and the flue, an FGHR component extracts heat from the waste flue gases that would normally be expelled into the atmosphere. Tis heat is recycled and used to pre-heat water coming into the boiler from the cold mains supply, reducing the amount of gas required for water heating. While raising the EPC standard of a boiler, FGHR has the added benefit of
being a sealed-for-life unit that does not require any maintenance down the line. As a result, homes will be able to take advantage of more efficient heating with added reliability.
www.housingmmonline.co.uk | HMMFebruary/March 2022 | 47
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